McGregor spent much of the event taunting dos Anjos: "I chose this fight because I came into this promotion as a two-weight world champion," he said.

"I had always wanted to replicate that. That was the goal, to continue to create history. This man across me has a title.

"He has nothing but that. He is a 'free TV' fighter. He has nothing else to offer me, except that gold belt.

"I KO'd the country of Brazil's true champion. Seeing how Aldo handles himself, how his team handles himself - they never learned the language of the oppressor. They never came to America. He trusted his people, unlike this guy standing next to me."

McGregor, who demolished Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds at UFC194, predicted another quick stoppage against dos Anjos.

"I will dust Rafael inside one minute - he is a slower, sloppier version of Aldo," said McGregor. "He's like a bum version of Aldo. In absolutely everything, I believe inside one minute, I will dust him."

With Rousey absent from the co-main event for the first time, Holm and Tate will get their moment in the spotlight at UFC 197.